Oh finally, we are going to have a 2011-2012 NBA Season. NBA owners and players reached a tentative agreement early Saturday to end the 149-day lockout and hope to begin the delayed season on Christmas Day.
Neither side provided many specifics but said the only words players and fans wanted to hear."We want to play basketball," NBA commissioner David Stern said.
After a secret meeting earlier this week, the sides met for more than 15 hours Friday, working to try to save the season. This handshake deal, however, still must be ratified by both owners and players.
Stern said it was "subject to a variety of approvals and very complex machinations, but we're optimistic that will all come to pass and that the NBA season will begin Dec. 25."
Barring a change in scheduling, the 2011-12 season will open with the Boston Celtics at New York Knicks, followed by Miami at Dallas in an NBA finals rematch before MVP Derrick Rose and Chicago close the tripleheader against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.
The league plans a 66-game season and aims to open training camps Dec. 9. Stern has said it would take about 30 days from an agreement to playing the first game.
So there you go, for NBA fans it was a real Christmas gift and what a way to start a season on Christmas Day. Now, free agency begins on the 9th of December and we will closely monitor the wheeling and dealing around the league. Fantasy basketball is also alive and many basketball fans will troop to fantasy websites seeking basketball fantasy glory. A big day for basketball indeed!
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